Researchers working at
the Penn State University have succeeded in propelling tiny robots inside
living human cells using sound waves. These tiny machines—referred to as
nanomachines or nanobots—could mark a new chapter in treating diseases and drug
delivery.

According to Tom
Mallouk, a researcher who was a part of the team at Penn State, the
first-generation motors that were developed by them could not move around
inside biological fluid, and they only worked on fuels that were toxic to the
human body. This restricted the ability of researchers to study nanobots inside
living human cells.

However, researchers
seem to have found a way around the problem by pumping the nanobots with
ultrasonic waves of varying intensities. This showed results as the tiny
machines were able to spin around in biological fluid and penetrate the
interiors of cells. Researchers also found that they could use magnetic waves
to steer these nanobots to a very precise degree.

These nanobots could
potentially be used for destroying cancer cells and other diseased cells, while
leaving the healthy cells unharmed.

This technology could
provide several new avenues for advancement in the medical field. For instance,
these nanobots could deliver drugs to the precise location required inside the
body. With more development, they could also be programmed to act as miniature
surgeons that could work from the inside to repair impaired parts of the body
or to remove blockages in organs.

According to researchers
working on the project, there are several applications that can be developed
now that they have found a precise way to control particles on such a small
scale. The challenge would now be to further understand how this technique
works.